Panasonic G85 vs GH5 – Know The Difference

INTRODUCTION

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 and Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 were introduced respectively, in September 2016 and January 2017. These 2 digital cameras are only 4 months apart in terms of launch dates, but if you know anything about technology, you know how fast it advances.

PANASONIC - PANASONIC G85 VS GH5

These 2 cameras are well known and sort after by both video and photographers, and today, we will be comparing them. Now, to outright say one camera is better than the other isn’t very easy. That part, which one is better, is going to boil down to your requirements and needs.


So, in this article, I will be providing you guys with a direct comparison between the Panasonic g85 vs gh5. Let us start off by displaying the key specifications of both cameras:

PANASONIC G85 VS GH5 - KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Panasonic GH5

PANASONIC G85

  • 20MP - Four-Thirds CMOS Sensor
  • 16MP - Four-Thirds CMOS Sensor
  • 4K (DCI) - 4096 x 2160 video resolution
  • 4K (UHD) - 3840 x 2160 video resolution
  • 180fps High-Speed Video
  • Built-in Wireless
  • ISO 200 - 25600 ( expands to 100)
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • ISO 200 - 25600 ( expands to 100-25600)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Built-in Wireless
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 725g. 139 x 98 x 87 mm
  • 3” Fully Articulated Screen
  • Weather-Sealed Body
  • 2360k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 3.2 Fully Articulated Screen
  • 9.0 fps continuous shooting
  • 3680k dot Electronic viewfinder
  • 505g. 128 x 89 x 74 mm
  • 12.0 fps continuous shooting
  • Weather-Sealed Body
  • No Anti-aliasing (AA) filter

That was just listing out the specifications, pretty easy. Now comes the tough part. Here are the advantages that one camera has over the other which may persuade you into choosing one:

What is monopod?

A monopod can be defined as the accessory designed to support the camera. A monopod has a single leg hence called a monopod. Its height is adjustable. It has a quick release plate to place and remove your camera easily. 

WHEN TO USE MONOPODS?

MONOPOD VS TRIPOD

When you don’t need rock-solid support for your smartphone or camera, you can opt for a monopod. It gives you more handheld flexibility. This single-legged camera support accessory is available in different shapes, sizes and weights. Sometimes you have a crazy shooting schedule that requires continuous movements from one place to another.


At such times monopods come to your rescue. You might have observed many sports photographers using monopods. They are easy to carry, move and hold. They are small and compact. They don’t take much floor space. You don’t even need a carry bag if you are using a relatively small monopod. 

You get more mobility and quick operation. You don’t have to fold three legs every time. Some monopods even have a multi-stage leg. Just unfold the leg, adjust the height and start shooting. This light piece of accessory can accommodate the weight of heavy lenses. So if you are into adventurous, nature, sports or landscape photography, then monopod is the best affordable portable option for you.

What is a tripod? 

Just like a monopod, a tripod is also designed to support your smartphone and camera. It has three legs hence called a tripod. You get more stable support and some greatly advanced functions in a tripod. 

When to use tripods?

MONOPOD VS TRIPOD

A tripod offers you a strong, solid platform to place your camera. Its legs are more stable and steady compared to a monopod. You get a variety of sizes and different mounting styles in tripods.

You don’t need to worry about shaking off a camera as it offers amazing stability. You can use slow shutter speeds and take long exposure pictures comfortably. It can hold the camera at one spot and hence is most suitable for macro, time-lapse and studio photography where it is required for the camera to be held in a fixed position. 

You need to set the camera once on a tripod, and you are free to control it remotely using a shutter. While in the case of monopods, you have to constantly get worried about dropping down the gadget and ruining your shot.

You get beautifully blurry backgrounds and sharp, clear images using a tripod. It is also a great option for wildlife photography as you can set a camera on a tripod, place it at the desired location and then disappear to take shots of wild animals. It is best suited to capture beautiful HDR and panorama shots.

PANASONIC G85 VS GH5 - ADVANTAGES

Panasonic G85 advantages

  • G85 has seen a price drop in the market. So, not only is it cheaper but this money can be spent to buy accessories and other equipment.
  • Under bad lighting conditions, the Internal Flash of the G85 can be used to fill-flash in a pinch.
  • The G85 stitches together multiple pictures to create a panorama shot.
  • There is a burst mode, so you have to wait less before taking JPEG photos.

Panasonic GH5 advantages

  • You get a bigger battery and, thus, better battery life on the GH5.
  • The pictures taken on the GH5 are much higher resolution (20.3 megapixels in comparison to G85’s 16.0 megapixels).
  • With the headphone jack, you can monitor audio whilst recording videos.
  • There is a burst mode for RAW as well as JPEG shooting.
  • You get higher flash sync on the GH5 to reduce the effect of ambient light whilst clicking picture with the flash on.
  • With a higher ISO, you are capable of taking low-light pictures that look much better thanks to lesser noise.
  • Are you a fan of Slo-mo? You can capture slow-motion videos on the GH5. 

For now, it seems the expensive camera is winning. No surprises there.

Let Us Now Look At What Both Of These Cameras Do Well

  • Built-in Wifi: Both cameras are capable of wirelessly transmitting your data.
  • In-camera stabilization: Photographers usually do have very stable hands, but at slower shutter speeds, the shaking is noticeable but is greatly reduced the in-camera stabilization.
  • Tilt-swivel screen: For those weird angles. Get creative!
  • Focus peaking: Highlighting the object of focus.
  • 4k Video: Pretty self-explanatory. 4K is the minimum requirement of any videographer in 2021.
  • Touchscreen: We are already familiar with and used to touch screens because of our smartphones. Buttons take getting used to, but a touchscreen, in this day and age, doesn’t and is the superior choice.
  • Built-in microphone: Always a handy pro.
  • HDMI Out: To review and monitor videos.
  • Bulb Shutter: For longer exposure, hold the shutter button.
  • External mic jack: If the internal microphone isn’t good enough, you can always use a better one.
  • Hot Shoe: For external flash

Before you make your decision, here is where both cameras tend to suffer:

Panasonic LUMIX G85MK 4K Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Kit,...
  • Less bulky than a DSLR, the LUMIX G85 is the compact 4K video-enabled Micro Four...
  • Class leading 5-axis body stabilization that when mated to LUMIX 2-axis...
  • 4K Video recording at 30p/24p 100 Mbps plus a 3.5mm port for external...

  • Both cameras lack built-in GPS, so you cannot geotag your pictures. This may mean nothing or everything, depending upon whom you are asking.
  • NFC. Not a big deal to most people but still worth mentioning.
  • There is no on-sensor phase-detection feature. So, auto-focus whilst recording videos can be a little off sometimes. Again, it is not a big deal as it only improves AF during videos slightly, but if you are a beginner or cannot use manual focus for XYZ reason, it is helpful.

CONCLUSION

Needless to say, the expensive one is going to have more features and thus, be objectively better. So, in this Panasonic G85 VS GH5 article, I jotted down the advantages of both cameras, so it is easier for you to pick out which one suits and meets your needs. Anyways, I hope this article was helpful! Thanks for reading!

Xavier
 

I'm Xavier. I am a professional writer and blogger. It all started when I fell in love with my camera, which was presented to me when I was ten as a birthday gift. Since then, I wanted to become a cinematographer and also succeeded in that. So I am here researching and reviewing the filmmaking gadgets and giving out my top gadgets from the market.I hope you find my review articles interesting and helpful.

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